Today I’m publishing a special post and a video that I created while being on a cruise around the Caribbean. I’m all about living life with that incredible zest. And one of the best ways to do it is to travel around the world, enriching life by exploring new countries and having exciting adventures.
I know, this picture of me performing Dandayamana Dhanurasana has nothing to do with the topic. It’s just too good to keep to myself. Plus, I took it on the same beach where the video for this episode was shot.
Below I share 3 steps towards becoming a better traveler.
You can watch the video or just keep reading. Or do both – that’s double the fun!
1. Believe in the possibility
A lot of people think that travel is expensive. The truth is, yes, it can be. But there are ways to find really good deals and go to places that are traditionally considered pricy.
When I was deciding where to go for the winter vacation, I was looking at a few options. The most attractive one was a cruise around the Caribbean. I love cruises because everything is taken care of: the food, the room service, the entertainment. Plus it’s a great winter escape from NYC into tropical heaven.
Normally this type of vacation (7 days around the Caribbean departing right after Christmas) is priced at around $1500 for a balcony cabin. But we were able to get a much better deal paying around $550 each. So, it is possible to travel affordably. You just gotta know the tricks.
My favorite websites that always have great deals are www.travelzoo.com and www.priceline.com. The latter frequently offers extras in the form of complimentary upgrades and onboard credit.
Online is the way to go. The best deals are available right at your fingertips. Booking a trip through agencies is a medieval way to plan your vacation unless, of course, your travel agent coddles you, gives you shoulder massage and pours a glass of champagne.
2. Plan in advance
During our vacation we met people who did purchase their cruise online yet were staying at a lower class cabin and had to pay twice our price. Here’s the thinng: planning is saving!
We booked tickets for the New Year’s cruise in September and got a really good deal. Those who bought their tickets 1 month in advance spent almost 3 times more.
That is the case most of the time. Yes, there are last-minute hot deals but usually, those aren’t nearly as good as the ones that are offered far ahead. So, if you are looking to save big, aim for 3-6 months of advance planning, especially if your work schedule allows you to do so.
3. Partner up
If you’re not used to the aforementioned way of booking travel, join some of your friends who are. That will create a sense of accountability and wil give you the fuel to execute on your travel ideas. If you don’t have any friends of that sort, you can find an online community of people discussing good destinations and sharing their advice. Reading those forums always gets me excited and motivates to explore even more.
Happy travels, friends!
XO,
Peter
